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I'd wager that if you ask anyone at random what their favourite Avengers movie, Age of Ultron would rarely be the first choice. The middle child of the franchise, this was the one that had the most riding on it, and it suffered for its great ambitions.
Because Age of Ultron, retrospectively, isn't a bad movie. It's trying to tell a horror story, in the vein of Frankenstein, and the themes of creator vs creation, and Gods and Monsters, is rampant throughout. It feels more disjointed and less confident than its predecessor, probably because Joss Whedon was under an incredible amount of pressure, from both Marvel Studios and fans, to deliver.
It was an impossible task in many ways.
Age of Ultron missteps a fair bit, especially in its treatment of Black Widow, but manages to introduce new characters who take the franchise to bigger and better things in future. Wanda and Vision are real highlights for me. And then there's Pietro, who suffers the Joss Whedon character death, but for good reason due to a shared rights deal with Fox.
Give Age of Ultron another chance. I did, and I'm glad. I enjoyed it more as a horror movie than a superhero movie, and it's not often I say that!
I would love to hear your thoughts on Avengers: Age of Ultron!
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Thank you to all the patrons Simon E, Sade, Jardiel, Claudia, Simon B, Laurel, Derek, Jason, Kristin, Cat, Andy, Mike, Griff, Luke, Emily, Michael, Matt, Scott, Mark, Brendan, Ian and brand-new patron Lisa!
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EPISODE THANKS TO....
Most excellent patrons:
Andy from Geek Salad for his Patron thoughts. You can find Geek Salad @geeksaladradio on Twitter.
Derek from The Midnight Myth for his Patron thoughts. You can find The Midnight Myth @TheMidnightMyth on Twitter.
Scott from Monkey See Monkey Review for his Patron thoughts. You can find Monkey See Monkey Review @MSMRpod on Twitter.
Mark from 100 Things We Learned from Film for his Patron thoughts. You can find 100 Things We Learned from Film @100thingspod on Twitter.
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Theme Music: Verbal Diorama Theme Song
Music by Chloe Enticott - Compositions by Chloe Facebook
Lyrics by Chloe Enticott (and me!)
Production by Ellis Powell-Bevan of Ewenique Studios.
I am Em of Verbal Diorama, and I am burdened with glorious purpose. Because really, aren't we all here for Loki, God of Mischief, the wonderful Tom Hiddleston just chewing every inch of CG scenery?
But he's not the only highlight of this movie, because pretty much everything about The Avengers (or Avengers Assemble as it was marketed here in the UK, don't worry though, it's still The Avengers to most of us!) is pure unadulterated brilliance. Nick Fury's quote about "an idea to bring together a group of remarkable people" relates to both on and off screen.
While you can date character team-up duos back to the 1940s, no other movie has successfully brought together multiple characters from their own (very different) film franchises and teamed them up to fight together against a common foe.
The Avengers was a huge risk, but paid off in buckets. Iron Man had been a success, but The Avengers was filming even before Captain America: The First Avenger and Thor was released; there was every chance those movies would bomb.
Many other studios have tried to replicate the formula Marvel have succeeded with, but while this movie's team can claim "We have a Hulk", Marvel Studios can claim "We have Kevin Feige".
I would love to hear your thoughts on The Avengers (no, not the spy one!)
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Thank you to all the patrons Simon E, Sade, Jardiel, Claudia, Simon B, Laurel, Derek, Jason, Kristin, Cat, Andy, Mike, Griff, Luke, Emily, Michael, Matt, Scott, Mark, Brendan and brand-new patron Ian!
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EPISODE THANKS TO....
Most excellent Patrons
Andy from Geek Salad for his Patron thoughts. You can find Geek Salad @geeksaladradio on Twitter.
Scott from Monkey See Monkey Review for his Patron thoughts. You can find Monkey See Monkey Review @MSMRpod on Twitter.
Derek from The Midnight Myth for his Patron thoughts. You can find The Midnight Myth @TheMidnightMyth on Twitter.
And Claudia and Brendan for their Patron thoughts too!
Subscribe, follow and listen to Geek Salad, Monkey See Monkey Review and The Midnight Myth in your podcast app of choice!
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Theme Music: Verbal Diorama Theme Song
Music by Chloe Enticott - Compositions by Chloe Facebook
Lyrics by Chloe Enticott (and me!)
Production by Ellis Powell-Bevan of Ewenique Studios.
In 1987, Fred Dekker made a little movie that did so badly it was pulled from US theatres after just two weeks....
Like all cult classics though, The Monster Squad showed it had nards, and only grew in audiences estimations through VHS and TV screenings, through to DVD and Blu-ray, and to sold-out fan screenings and events.
While attempts have been made to reboot The Monster Squad, and in the shadow of Universal's attempt at a Dark Universe, something like The Monster Squad would be the perfect showcase for all their classic cinematic monsters..... but let's not talk about the fact they wanted nothing to do with this movie, nor were they interested in resurrecting their classic monsters in the late '80s. Times sure do change.
What doesn't is a fresh, funny script by Fred Dekker and Shane Black (aka Black and Dekker!), endearing child actors, incredible make-up and creature effects and some seriously emotional beats that, yes, still make me cry.
I would love to hear your thoughts on The Monster Squad!
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SUPPORT VERBAL DIORAMA....
Leave a 5-star rating/review: Apple Podcasts or Podchaser
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Thank you to all the patrons Simon E, Sade, Jardiel, Claudia, Simon B, Laurel, Derek, Jason, Kristin, Cat, Andy, Mike, Griff, Luke, Emily, Michael, Matt, Scott, Mark and Brendan.
Buy Merch! https://teespring.com/stores/verbaldiorama
Tees, mugs, hoodies and totes are available!
EPISODE THANKS TO....
Most excellent Patrons
Andy from Geek Salad for his Patron thoughts. You can find Geek Salad @geeksaladradio on Twitter.
Derek from The Midnight Myth for his Patron thoughts. You can find The Midnight Myth @TheMidnightMyth on Twitter.
Subscribe, follow and listen to Geek Salad and The Midnight Myth in your podcast app of choice!
Twitter peeps
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Theme Music: Verbal Diorama Theme Song
Music by Chloe Enticott - Compositions by Chloe Facebook
Lyrics by Chloe Enticott (and me!)
Production by Ellis Powell-Bevan of Ewenique Studios.
"We're men. We're men in tights. We roam around the forest looking for fights. We're men. We're men in tiiiiiights. We rob from the rich and give to the poor, that's right!"
Robin Hood: Men in Tights isn't here to be fine art, this is no Criterion Collection inductee. It's the simple story you know of the outlaw who robs the rich to feed the poor, except unlike some other Robin Hoods', he can speak with an English accent.
As a fellow English accent speaker, I feel completely qualified to take on Mel Brooks' 1992 Robin Hood parody with as much aplomb as Robin taking on Little John to pass a tiny bridge over 2 cm of water.
I shoot an arrow bullseye into a target with this, as I explain the roots of Robin Hood: Men in Tights from a TV show cancelled in 1975, as well as Michael Jackson's links to the screenplay.
Simply put, I love this movie and it never fails to make me laugh.
Hey Blinkin! Did you say Abe Lincoln?
I would love to hear your thoughts on Robin Hood: Men in Tights!
GET IN TOUCH....
SUPPORT VERBAL DIORAMA....
Leave a 5-star rating/review: Apple Podcasts or Podchaser
Join the Patreon: patreon.com/verbaldiorama
Thank you to all the patrons Simon E, Sade, Jardiel, Claudia, Simon B, Laurel, Derek, Jason, Kristin, Cat, Andy, Mike, Griff, Luke, Emily, Michael, Matt, Scott, Mark and Brendan.
Buy Merch! https://teespring.com/stores/verbaldiorama
Tees, mugs, hoodies and totes are available!
EPISODE THANKS TO....
Most excellent Patrons
Andy and Mike from Geek Salad for their Patron thoughts. You can find Geek Salad @geeksaladradio on Twitter.
Subscribe, follow and listen to Geek Salad in your podcast app of choice!
Twitter peeps
Instagram folk
Facebook chums
Theme Music: Verbal Diorama Theme Song
Music by Chloe Enticott - Compositions by Chloe Facebook
Lyrics by Chloe Enticott (and me!)
Production by Ellis Powell-Bevan of Ewenique Studios.
All you need to do to summon him is say his name three times....
Beetlejuice!
Beetlejuice!
Beetlejuice!
For many, this is one of Tim Burton's greatest moments as a director. The sharp, macabre, funny story of Adam and Barbara Maitland, a recently deceased couple who find the living are haunting their house. They struggle to get rid of Charles and Delia Deetz through normal means, and so enlist the help of "bio-exorcist" Betelgeuse - a madcap frenzied perverse Ghost with the Most, with a scene-stealing 90% ad-libbed performance by Michael Keaton.
But Beetlejuice originally started as a serious horror movie, so how did it become a horror comedy with "B-movie visual effects" (Tim Burton's words, not mine!) that takes a serious look at death, the afterlife and identity?
It's showtime!
I would love to hear your thoughts on Beetlejuice!
GET IN TOUCH....
SUPPORT VERBAL DIORAMA....
Leave a 5-star rating/review: Apple Podcasts or Podchaser
Join the Patreon: patreon.com/verbaldiorama
Thank you to all the patrons Simon E, Sade, Jardiel, Claudia, Simon B, Laurel, Derek, Jason, Kristin, Cat, Andy, Mike, Griff, Luke, Emily, Michael, Matt, Scott, Mark and Brendan.
Buy Merch! https://teespring.com/stores/verbaldiorama
Tees, mugs, hoodies and totes are available!
EPISODE THANKS TO....
Most excellent Patrons
Andy and Mike from Geek Salad for their Patron thoughts. You can find Geek Salad @geeksaladradio on Twitter and their Beetlejuice YouTube episode is available here.
Derek, Laurel and Arthur from The Midnight Myth for their Patron thoughts. You can find The Midnight Myth @TheMidnightMyth on Twitter and their Beetlejuice episode is available here.
Mark from 100 Things We Learned from Film for his Patron thoughts. You can find 100 Things We Learned from Film @100thingspod on Twitter.
Subscribe, follow and listen to Geek Salad, The Midnight Myth and 100 Things We Learned from Film in your podcast app of choice!
Twitter peeps
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Theme Music: Verbal Diorama Theme Song
Music by Chloe Enticott - Compositions by Chloe Facebook
Lyrics by Chloe Enticott (and me!)
Production by Ellis Powell-Bevan of Ewenique Studios.
Raiders of the Lost Ark is a true phenomenon, in all senses of the word. To coin a phrase from its sequel, it found the Holy Grail of filmmaking for being not only a commercial smash hit, but also became a critical darling and received multiple awards recognition.
With the juggernaut pairing of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg at the helm, you'd think Raiders of the Lost Ark would have had it easy coming to the big screen.... but it really didn't. Plagued with on-set troubles, sickness, time and budget constraints meant that perfectionist Spielberg learned to like takes instead of love them.
But that lean approach to filmmaking gave Raiders of the Lost Ark the same amount of raw grit and determination that Indiana Jones himself possessed, and an icon rolled into cinemas, where it stayed for an incredibly long time too.....!
And it influenced The Mummy (1999), which is probably its greatest achievement. I jest of course.... or do I?
I would love to hear your thoughts on Raiders of the Lost Ark!
GET IN TOUCH....
SUPPORT VERBAL DIORAMA....
Leave a 5-star rating/review: Apple Podcasts or Podchaser
Join the Patreon: patreon.com/verbaldiorama
Thank you to all the patrons Simon E, Sade, Jardiel, Claudia, Simon B, Laurel, Derek, Jason, Kristin, Cat, Andy, Mike, Griff, Luke, Emily, Michael, Matt, Trevor, Scott, Mark and Brendan.
Buy Merch! https://teespring.com/stores/verbaldiorama
Tees, mugs, hoodies and totes are available!
EPISODE THANKS TO....
Most excellent Patrons
Scott from Monkey See Monkey Review for his Patron thoughts. You can find Monkey See Monkey Review @MSMRpod on Twitter
Andy and Mike from Geek Salad for their Patron thoughts. You can find Geek Salad @geeksaladradio on Twitter
Matt from The Podcast from Outer Space for his Patron thoughts. You can find The Podcast from Outer Space @TPFOSPod on Twitter
And Brendan for his Patron thoughts. He doesn't have a podcast, he's just a really swell guy!
Subscribe, follow and listen to Monkey See Monkey Review, Geek Salad and The Podcast from Outer Space in your podcast app of choice!
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Theme Music: Verbal Diorama Theme Song
Music by Chloe Enticott - Compositions by Chloe Facebook
Lyrics by Chloe Enticott (and me!)
Production by Ellis Powell-Bevan of Ewenique Studios.
Children of Men, a prescient dystopian science-fiction drama asks a simple question. If human beings couldn't reproduce, what would happen to the world?
Director Alfonso Cuarón made, what I consider his masterpiece, in 2006 and yet it's never felt more resonant, or prescient, than it does today. This is a movie that hasn't aged a day, and probably never will.
It's a bleak, grim look at a dystopian not-too-distant future, loosely based on P.D. James original novel The Children of Men. While I have a minor gripe about one of the changes from book to screen, overall I truly believe Children of Men is a movie everyone needs to see.
With breathtaking long takes and special effects, thought-provoking imagery and the harsh realisation that pretty much all of this movie has come (or is coming) true Children of Men remains one of those remarkable movies that just didn't seem to find an audience back in 2006.
Let's change that.
I would love to hear your thoughts on Children of Men!
GET IN TOUCH....
SUPPORT VERBAL DIORAMA....
Leave a 5-star rating/review: Apple Podcasts or Podchaser
Join the Patreon: patreon.com/verbaldiorama
Thank you to all the patrons Simon E, Sade, Jardiel, Claudia, Simon B, Laurel, Derek, Jason, Kristin, Cat, Andy, Mike, Griff, Luke, Emily, Michael, Matt, Trevor, Scott, Mark and Brendan.
Buy Merch! https://teespring.com/stores/verbaldiorama
Tees, mugs, hoodies and totes are available!
EPISODE THANKS TO....
Most excellent Patrons
Scott from Monkey See Monkey Review for his Patron thoughts. You can find Monkey See Monkey Review @MSMRpod on Twitter
Matt from The Podcast from Outer Space for his Patron thoughts. You can find The Podcast from Outer Space @TPFOSPod on Twitter
Andy from Geek Salad for his Patron thoughts. You can find Geek Salad @geeksaladradio on Twitter
Subscribe, follow and listen to Monkey See Monkey Review, The Podcast from Outer Space and Geek Salad in your podcast app of choice!
Twitter peeps
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Facebook chums
Theme Music: Verbal Diorama Theme Song
Music by Chloe Enticott - Compositions by Chloe Facebook
Lyrics by Chloe Enticott (and me!)
Production by Ellis Powell-Bevan of Ewenique Studios.
On the surface, a fan-favourite coming-of-age movie told through the eyes of young, innocent, naïve Baby Houseman as she has the time of her life meeting sexy, "bad boy" dance instructor Johnny Castle on her family holiday to the Catskill Mountains in the summer of 1963. She learns to dance, he learns to love. It's all very romantic. It's a feeling, a heartbeat.
But, underneath it's more than that. Class divides, prejudice, discrimination, illegal abortion, sex - all the things that flew over my head when I first saw it aged 11-12. Dirty Dancing took big risks to come to the big screen, and it's those risks that make it an endearing classic, adored by millions, over 30 years later.
Joining me in my kinda dancing, is a brilliant partner. Mark Asquith only saw this movie for the first time last year - and loved it! He brings a unique perspective to the chat, and bizarrely, some watermelons....
Massive thanks to Mark for taking the time to guest on this podcast and make sure you check out his work! He's the CEO of Rebel Base Media, and I can attest that Captivate is a brilliant podcast host, so if you're looking for a new podcast host, you can sign up to Captivate. He also hosts Star Wars podcast Spark of Rebellion, as well as The Podcast Accelerator; a great show with loads of helpful hints and tips on podcasting. There's no spaghetti arms on this chap....
I would love to hear your thoughts on Dirty Dancing!
GET IN TOUCH....
SUPPORT VERBAL DIORAMA....
Leave a 5-star rating/review: Apple Podcasts or Podchaser
Join the Patreon: patreon.com/verbaldiorama
Thank you to all the patrons Simon E, Sade, Jardiel, Claudia, Simon B, Laurel, Derek, Jason, Kristin, Cat, Andy, Mike, Griff, Luke, Emily, Michael, Matt, Trevor, Scott, Mark and Brendan!
Buy Merch! https://teespring.com/stores/verbaldiorama
Tees, mugs, hoodies and totes are available!
Theme Music: Verbal Diorama Theme Song
Music by Chloe Enticott - Compositions by Chloe Facebook
Lyrics by Chloe Enticott (and me!)
Production by Ellis Powell-Bevan of Ewenique Studios.
The Devil Wears Prada is often referred to as a "chick flick", which I'd argue is not only inaccurate, but also a little insulting to such a fantastic exploration of feminine status, class and power. It allows its female characters to have agency, ambition and respect, despite them not being the archetypal “female character”.
Meryl Streep brings complexity, nuance and vulnerability to Runway editor-in-chief Miranda Priestly, who in the hands of anyone else would just be a one-note villain. If a man is hard-working, demanding and rude, he's just ambitious but if a woman is the same, she's immediately calculating or labelled a b*tch. Why are those traits acceptable for men in positions of power, but not women?
If you watch The Devil Wears Prada and you despise Miranda Priestly, ask yourself why? Is it because you just don't like her character, or is it because society tells you that women shouldn't behave this way? Honestly, the more I watch this movie, the more I love Miranda!
Anne Hathaway is the perfect juxtaposition to Miranda too, and let's not forget this movie gave Emily Blunt her breakthrough.
While the references to size and dieting may have dated a little, it's still a stylish, gorgeous and ground-breaking movie that demands your attention.
Now accepting applications for my first and second assistant....
I would love to hear your thoughts on The Devil Wears Prada!
GET IN TOUCH....
SUPPORT VERBAL DIORAMA....
Leave a 5-star rating/review: Apple Podcasts or Podchaser
Join the Patreon: patreon.com/verbaldiorama
Thank you to all the patrons Simon E, Sade, Jardiel, Claudia, Simon B, Laurel, Derek, Jason, Kristin, Cat, Andy, Mike, Griff, Luke, Emily, Michael, Matt, Trevor, Scott and brand new patrons Mark and Brendan!
Buy Merch! https://teespring.com/stores/verbaldiorama
Tees, mugs, hoodies and totes are available!
EPISODE THANKS TO....
Most excellent Patrons
Simon from Maverick Productions for his Patron thoughts. You can find Maverick Productions, and information on all their podcasts @maverickpro on Twitter
Andy from Geek Salad for his Patron thoughts. You can find Geek Salad @geeksaladradio on Twitter
Subscribe, follow and listen to The ExtonMoss Experiment, Tonic Screwdriver, Aural Intercourse and Geek Salad in your podcast app of choice!
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Theme Music: Verbal Diorama Theme Song
Music by Chloe Enticott - Compositions by Chloe Facebook
Lyrics by Chloe Enticott (and me!)
Production by Ellis Powell-Bevan of Ewenique Studios.
Hook Hook, show us the Hook!
Verbal Diorama is a podcast known for its very good form, and was given three days to learn to fly, fight and crow and become The Pan. I like to think I'm more of a Rufio (Rufio, Ru-Fi-Ohhhhhhh!) actually.
Hook is one of my childhood favourites. It's my favourite Peter Pan movie by far, and honestly it pains me that most people don't like it, let alone love it. Yes, it has problems; the fact Peter doesn't become Peter Pan for over an hour and a half is one I'll acknowledge off the bat, but it also has really high highs. Literal flying being one! Robin Williams being another and the importance of finding your happy thoughts as adults.
The message might be saccharin sweet, but it's an important one. Don't forget the innocence of childhood, keep your imagination flowing and, mostly importantly, play with your children. Keep your children young for as long as possible. Don't make them grow up too fast.
Quite simply, I think Hook is Bangarang, despite what Steven Spielberg himself says.
I would love to hear your thoughts on Hook!
GET IN TOUCH....
SUPPORT VERBAL DIORAMA....
Leave a 5-star rating/review: Apple Podcasts or Podchaser
Join the Patreon: patreon.com/verbaldiorama
Thank you to all the patrons Simon E, Sade, Jardiel, Claudia, Simon B, Laurel, Derek, Jason, Kristin, Cat, Andy, Mike, Griff, Luke, Emily, Michael, Matt, Trevor and Scott!
Buy Merch! https://teespring.com/stores/verbaldiorama
Tees, mugs, hoodies and totes are available!
EPISODE THANKS TO....
Most excellent Patrons
Laurel and Derek from The Midnight Myth for their Patron thoughts. You can find their bangarang episode on Hook right here and follow them @TheMidnightMyth on Twitter.
Andy and Mike from Geek Salad for their Patron thoughts. You can find Geek Salad @geeksaladradio on Twitter
Subscribe, follow and listen to The Midnight Myth and Geek Salad in your podcast app of choice!
Twitter peeps
Instagram folk
Facebook chums
Theme Music: Verbal Diorama Theme Song
Music by Chloe Enticott - Compositions by Chloe Facebook
Lyrics by Chloe Enticott (and me!)
Production by Ellis Powell-Bevan of Ewenique Studios.
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